Yachting: Kiwis take gold at World Cup

Alex Maloney and Molly Meech in action. Photo / Mick Anderson

Young Kiwi sailors Molly Meech and Alex Maloney have won gold at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres in France.

The pair have finished well clear of their nearest opposition in the 49erFX fleet after finishing fifth, fourth and fifth in the final three stadium races.

Starting the day with a lead of 18 points the young kiwis sailed three quick-fire ten minute races on a short 'stadium course' with narrow boundaries.

"It was tough, it was quite stressful out there," said Maloney. "With it being so light and shifty the leaders changed all the time."

The silver medal winners Charlotte Dobson and Mary Rook representing Great Britain finished 14 points behind the kiwis, with Annemiek Bekering and Claire Blom of the Netherlands collecting the bronze.

Hyeres is the final regatta of the 2012-13 ISAF Sailing World Cup Series and this result secures Maloney and Meech the overall series victory in the 49erFX counting Gold in Melbourne, Silver in Palma and now Gold in Hyeres.

Josh Junior collected bronze in the Finn class after finishing third and fourth in the medal races.

Marcus Hansen and Josh Porebski have finished seventh in the 49er class, while the men's 470 crew of Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox have moved up one place on the final day to eighth.

Andy Maloney has finished seventh in the Laser fleet.